Container closure with integral spout



Dec. 28, 1965 w. J. ROONEY CONTAINER CLOSURE WITH INTEGRAL SPOUT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 2, 1964 INVENTOR.

Foo/76y [gallium J United States Patent 3,225,970 CONTAINER CLOSURE WITH INTEGRAL SPOUT William J. Rooney, Box 264, Phillipsburg, N J. Filed Oct. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 401,133 12 Claims. (Cl. 222484) This invention relates to the art of container closures and more particularly concerns a fluid container having a closure and integral spout.

According to the invention there is provided a container such as a bottle having a threaded neck with diametrically opposed openings. On the neck is mounted a closure including a cap and collar. The collar has a pair of radially extending wings in which are passages communicating with openings in the collar. The wings of the collar can be grasped and the collar can be twisted and broken oil? the cap and turned down on the neck of the bottle to align the openings in the collar with the openings in the neck of the bottle. The bottle can then be turned on its side to discharge its fluid contents out of either wing which then serves as a spout while air enters the bottle through the other wing, other collar opening and other neck opening. The passages in the wings are inclined with respect to the openings in the neck and collar so that when the bottle is turned upright excess fluid runs down the wings gravitationally and into the bottle. The wings and collar can then be turned around to lock the collar at the cap and to close the openings in the neck. The passages in the wings of the closure may be grooves with open tops or cylindrical bores with closed tops, The cap can be removed for refilling the bottle when necessary. The invention thus makes it possible to provide a quick opening and closing closure for a bottle.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a quick opening and closing closure for a bottle having a threaded neck, the closure including a cap, collar and radial wings having passages for fluid therein, the passages communicating with openings in the neck of the bottle in one position of the collar on the neck of the bottle.

Another object is to provide a closure for a bottle as described wherein the cap and collar are integrally joined by a frangible, weakened portion so that the collar can be broken loose from the cap to leave the cap sealing the open neck of the bottle.

A further object is to provide a closure as described, wherein the passages in the wings are inclined to the axes of the openings in the neck and collar, so that excess fluid runs down into the bottle when the bottle is turned to upright position.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of part of a bottle and a bottle closure embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the bottle and closure.

FIG. 4 is a side view of part of the bottle and closure, with collar shown broken loose from the cap.

FIG. 5 is another side view of part of the bottle and closure, taken 90 from the view of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an exploded side view of part of the bottle and closure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bottle and closure, with collar shown broken loose from the cap.

3,225,970 Patented Dec. 28, 1965 FIG. 9 is a side view similar to FIG. 5 showing another form of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-8, there is shown a bottle 20 having a closed cylindrical body 22 with neck 24 at its upper end. The neck has an axial bore 23 communicating with the interior of the body 22. The neck has a narrower upper portion 21 formed with an external thread and a wider lower portion 25 formed with an external thread. The bore 23 is open at the top of the neck. An annular shoulder 27 is formed on body 22 at the bottom of the neck 24.

According to the invention there is provided a closure 30 including a cylindrical cap 31 having an internally threaded blind bore 32 which can be screwed tightly on the upper narrower portion 21 of the neck.

Integral with the cap 31 and spaced from the shoulder 27 is a cylindrical collar 34. Two generally rectangular wings 35 extend radially outward of the collar in axial alignment on diametrally opposite sides of the collar. A cylindrical groove 36 is formed between the collar and cap so that the closure wall is weakened at this location all around the closure. This weakened wall is fracturable so that the collar will separate from the cap when the wings are grasped and the collar is turned forcibly down on the wider portion 25 of the neck. Two openings 38 are provided in the neck portion 25 in diametrically opposite positions. The openings 38 are normally closed by the collar when the wings 35 are disposed perpendicular to arrow 40 inscribed on top of the cap. Arrows 42 on opposite sides of the cap are aligned with openings 38 in the neck when the cap is tightened on the neck.

In the collar are two holes 44 located in diametrically opposite positions. These holes line up with openings 38 when the collar is turned down on the neck and rests on shoulder 27 as clearly shown in FIG. 6. Two passages 46 are formed in the wings 35. The passages are grooves which are open at the tops of the wings. The bottoms 47 of the passages are slanted or inclined downward to the neck and communicate with holes 44 respectively in the collar. The outer, upper ends of the passages 46 are narrower than the holes 44.

When the collar is turned down on the neck, to align holes 44 with openings 38, the bottle can be turned on its side sufiiciently so that the fluid in the bottle pours out of one of the wings which then serves as a spout while air enters the bottle through the passage in the other wing, through the other hole in the collar and through the other opening in the neck. When the bottle is turned axially upright, excess fluid will flow by gravity back into the bottle so that the spout or nozzle need not be wiped dry. The Wings and collar can then be turned a halfturn or so so that the collar engages with the cap and is locked thereby on the neck. This will locate imperforate portions of the collar at the neck openings 38 to seal them closed. The wings thus serve for turning the collar to break it loose initially from the cap. Then they serve as handles to facilitate turning the collar for aligning the holes 44 and openings 38 to dis-charge fluid from the bottle, and for turning the collar to lock it at the cap while closing the opening 38.

In FIGS. 9 and 10 is shown another bottle and closure in which the structure of bottle 20 is the same as previously described. Closure 30a is similar to closure 30 and corresponding parts are identically numbered. The Wings 350 of closure 30 are provided with passages 460 which are cylindrical bores rather than grooves with open tops as in wings 35. The passages 46a are axially inclined to the axes of holes 44 in the collar so that excess fluid pours back in the bottle in the same manner as explained. in connection with inclined passages 46 in wings 35.

If required to refill the bottle, the cap can be removed without disturbingthe collar. At other times the cap remains stationary on the neck to serve as a top closure for bore 23 in the neck and as a locking stop for the collar.

The closures 30 and 30a are preferably made of plastic material but they can be made of metal or ceramic. The closures can be used for bottles made of metal, glass, ceramic, plastic or other suitable materials. If desired both the cap and collar can be removed independently for washing and can then easily be replaced. While the cap is in place the collar cannot come loose and be misplaced.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A container comprising in combination: a generally cylindrical hollow body for containing fluid, a neck on one end of said body providing communication between the interior of said body and the exterior thereof, said neck being externally threaded and having a pair of lateral openings in diametrically opposed positions opening into the neck, and a closure on said neck, said closure comprising a cylindrical internally threaded cap removably engaged on said neck, an internally threaded collar integral with said cap engaged on the neck, said closure having a weakened portion between the cap and collar to facilitate separation of the cap and collar when the collar is twisted around the neck while the cap remains stationary, said collar having a pair of holes therein in opposite sides located in diametrically opposed positions for alignment with the openings in the neck respectively when the collar is turned down on said shoulder, said collar having imperforate portions located at said openings to seal the same closed both when the collar is joined to the cap and when the collar is turned up on the neck and locked against the cap after being broken loose from the cap, and a pair of generally rectangular wings extending radially outward, of said collar at diametrically opposite points thereof aligned with said holes respectively, said wings serving to facilitate turning the collar on said neck.

2. A container comprising in combination: a generally cylindrical hollow body for containing fluid, a neck on one end of said body providing communication between the interior of said body and the exterior thereof, said neck being externally threaded and having a narrow upper portion and a wider lower portion with a pair of lateral openings in diametrically opposed positions in the wider lower portion, and a closure on said neck, said closure comprising a cylindrical internally threaded cap removably engaged on said neck, an internally threaded collar integral with said cap engaged on the wider lower portion of the neck, said closure having a weakened por-' tion between the cap and collar to facilitate separation of the cap and collar when the collar is twisted around the neck while the cap remains stationary, said collar having a pair of holes therein in opposite sides located in diametrically opposed positions for alignment with the openings in the neck respectively when the collar is turned down on said shoulder, said collar having imperforate portions located at said openings to seal the same closed both when the collar is joined to the cap and when the collar is turned up on the neck and locked against the cap after being broken loose from the cap, and a pair of generally rectangular wings extending radially outward of said collar at diametrically opposite points thereof aligned with said holes respectively, said wings serving to facilitate turning of the collar on said neck, said wings having passages extending longitudinally thereof and communicating with said holes respectively, so that said body can be turned to discharge said fluid through one of said openings, one of said holes and one of said passages while air enters said body through the other of said openings, the other of said holes and the other of said passages.

3. A container comprising in combination: a generally cylindrical hollow body for containing fluid, a neck on one end of said body providing communication between the interior of said body and the exterior thereof, said neck being externally threaded. and having a pair of lateral openings in diametrically opposed positions opening into the neck, and a closure on said neck, said closure comprising a cylindrical internally threaded cap removably engaged on said neck, an internally threaded collar integral with said cap engaged on the neck, said closure having a weakened portion between the cap and collar to facilitate separation of the cap and collar when the collar is twisted around the neck while the cap remains stationary, said collar having a pair of holes therein in opposite sides located in diametrically opposed positions for alignment with the openings in the neck respectively when the collar is turned down on said shoulder, said collar having imperforate portions located at said openings to seal the same closed both when the collar is joined to the cap and when the collar is turned up on the neck and locked against the cap after being broken loose from the cap, and a pair of generally rectangular wings extending radially outward of said collar :at diametrically opposite points thereof aligned with said holes respectively, said wings serving to facilitate turning the collar on said neck, said wings having passages extending longitudinally thereof and communicating with said holes respectively, so that said body can be turned to discharge said fluid through one of said openings, one of said holes and one of said passages while air enters said body through the other of said openings, the other of said holes and the other of said passages, each of said passages being a groove with an open top and having a bottom inclined to the holes in the collar so that excess fluid runs down said one passage and through said one hole and one opening into said body when said body is turned axially upright after being turned to discharge fluid.

4. A container comprising in combination: a generally cylindrical hollow body for containing fluid, a neck on one end of said body providing communication between the interior of said body and the exterior thereof, said neck being externally threaded and having a pair of lateral openings in diametrically opposed positions opening into the neck,'and a closure on said neck, said closure comprising a cylindrical internally threaded cap removablyengaged on said neck, an internally threaded collar integral with said cap engaged on the neck, said closure having a weakened portion between the cap and collar to facilitate separation of the cap and collar when the collar is twisted around the neck while the cap remains stationary, said collar having a pair of holes therein for alignment with the openings in the neck respectively when the collar is turned down on said shoulder, said collar having imperforate portions located at said openings to seal the same closed both when the collar is joined to the cap and when the collar is turned up on the neck and locked against the cap after being broken loose from the cap, and a pair of generally rectangular wings extending radially outward of said collar at diametrically opposite points thereof aligned with said holes respectively said wings serving to facilitate turning the collar on said neck, said wings having passages extending longitudinally thereof and communicating with said holes respectively, so that said body can be turned to discharge said fluid through one of said openings, one of said holes and one of said passages while air enters said body through the other of said openings, the other of said holes and the other of said passages, said passages being bores extending through the wings, said bores being axially inclined downward and terminating at the holes in the collar so that excess fluid runs down said one passage and through said one hole and one opening into said body when said body is turned axially upright after being turned to discharge fluid.

5. A closure for a container having a generally cylindrical hollow body for containing fluid, an externally threaded neck on one end of said body providing communication between the interior of said body and the exterior thereof, said neck having a pair of lateral openings in diametrically opposed positions opening into the neck, comprising in combination: a cylindrical internally threaded cap removably engageable on said neck, an internally threaded collar integral with said cap and engageable in said neck, said closure having a weakened portion between the cap and collar to facilitate separation of the cap and collar when the collar is twisted around the neck while the cap remains stationary, said collar having a pair of holes therein in opposite sides located in diametrically opposed positions for alignment with the openings in the neck respectively when the collar is turned down on said shoulder, said collar having imper forate portions located at said openings to seal the same closed both when the collar is joined to the cap and when the collar is turned up on the neck and locked against the cap after being broken loose from the cap, and a pair of generally rectangular wings extending radially outward of said collar at diametrically opposite points thereof aligned with said holes respectively, said wings serving to facilitate turning the collar on said neck.

6. A closure for a container having a generally cylindrical hollow body for containing fluid, an externally threaded neck on one end of said body providing communication between the interior of said body and the exterior thereof, said neck having a pair of lateral openings in diametrically opposed positions opening into the neck, comprising in combination: a cylindrical internally threaded cap removably engageable on said neck, an internally threaded collar integral with said cap and engageable on said neck, said closure having a weakened portion between the cap and collar to facilitate separation of the cap and collar when the collar is twisted around the neck while the cap remains stationary, said collar having a pair of holes therein in opposite sides located in diametrically opposed positions for alignment with the openings in the neck respectively when the collar is turned down on said shoulder, said collar having imperforate portions located at said openings to seal the same closed both when the collar is joined to the cap and when the collar is turned up on the neck and locked against the ca after being broken loose from the cap, and a pair of generally rectangular wings extending radially outward of said collar at diametrically opposite points thereof aligned with said holes respectively, said wings serving to facilitate turning the collar on said neck, said wings having passages extending longitudinally thereof and communicating with said holes respectively, so that said body can be turned to discharge said fluid through one of said openings, one of said holes and one of said passages while air enters said body through the other of said openings, the other of said holes and the other of said passages.

7. A closure for a container having a generally cylindrical hollow body for containing fluid, an externally threaded neck on one end of said body providing communication between the interior of said body and the exterior thereof, said neck having a pair of lateral openings in diametrically opposed positions opening into the neck, comprising in combination: a cylindrical internally threaded cap removably engageable on said neck, an internally threaded collar integral with said cap and engageable on said neck, said closure having a weakened portion between the cap and collar to facilitate separation of the cap and collar when the collar is twisted around the neck while the cap remains stationary, said collar having a pair of holes therein in opposite sides located in diametrically opposed positions for alignment with the openings in the neck respectively when the collar is turned down on said shoulder, said collar having imperforate portions located at said openings to seal the same closed both when the collar is joined to the cap and when the collar is turned up on the neck and locked against the cap after being broken loose from the cap, and a pair of generally rectangular wings extending radially outward of said collar at diametrically opposite points thereof aligned with said holes respectively, said wings serving to facilitate turning the collar on said neck, said wings having passages extending longitudinally thereof and communicating with said holes respectively, so that said body can be turned to discharge said fluid through one of said openings, one of said holes and one of said passages while air enters said body through the other of said openings, the other of said holes and the other of said passages, each of said passages being a groove with an open top and having a bottom inclined to the holes in the collar so that excess fluid runs down said one passage and through said one hole and one opening into said body when said body is turned axially upright after being turned to discharge fluid.

8. A closure for a container having a generally cylindrical hollow body [for containing fluid, an externally threaded neck on one end of said body providing communication between the interior of said body and the exterior thereof, said neck having a pair of lateral openings in diametrically opposed positions opening into the neck, comprising in combination: a cylindrical internally threaded cap removably engageable on said neck, an internally threaded collar integral with said cap and engageable on said neck, said closure having a weakened portion between the cap and collar to facilitate separation of the cap and collar when the collar is twisted around the neck while the cap remains stationary, said collar having a pair of holes therein in opposite sides located in diametrically opposed positions for alignment with the openings in the neck respectively when the collar is turned down on said shoulder, said collar having imperforate portions located at said openings to seal the same closed both when the collar is joined to the cap and when the collar is turned upon the neck and locked against the cap after being broken loose from the cap, and a pair of generally rectangular wings extending radially outward of said collar at diametrically opposite points thereof aligned with said holes respectively, said wings serving to facilitate turning the col lar on said neck, said wings having passages extending longitudinally thereof and communicating with said holes respectively, so that said body can be turned to discharge said fluid through one of said openings, one of said holes and one of said passages while air enters said body through the other of said openings, the other of said holes and the other of said passages, each of said passages being a groove with an open top and having a bottom inclined to the holes in the collar so that excess fluid runs down said one passage and through said one hole and one opening into said body when said body is turned axially upright after being turned to discharge fluid, said passages being bores extending through the wings, said bores being axially inclined downward and terminating at the holes in the collar so that excess fluid runs down said one passage and through said one hole and one opening into said body when said body is turned axially upright after being turned to discharge fluid.

9. A closure for a container having a generally cylindrical hollow body for containing fluid, an externally threaded neck on one end of said body providing communication between the interior of said body and the exterior thereof, said neck having a pair of lateral openings in diametrically opposed positions opening into the neck, comprising in combination: a cylindrical internally threaded cap removably engageable on said neck, an internally threaded collar removably engageable on said neck below the cap, said collar having a pair of holes,

therein in opposite sides located in diametrically opposed positions for alignment with the openings in the neck respectively when the collar is turned down on said shoulder, said collar having imperfor-ate portions located at said openings to seal the same closed when the collar is turned up on the neck and locked against the cap, and a pair of generally rectangular wings extending radially outward of said collar at diametrically opposite points thereof aligned with said holes respectively, said wings serving to facilitate turning the collar on said neck.

10. A closure for a container having a generally cylindrical hollow body for containing fluid, an externally threaded neck on one end of said body providing communication between the interior of said body and the exterior thereof, said neck having a pair of lateral openings in diametrically opposed positions opening into the neck, comprising in combination: a cylindrical internally threaded cap removably engageable on said neck, an internally threaded collar removably engageable on said neck below the cap, said collar having a pair of holes therein opposite sides located in diametrically opposed positions for alignment with the openings in the neck respectively when the collar is turned down on said shoulder, said collar having imperforate portions located at said openings to seal the same closed when the collar is turned upon the neck and locked against the cap, and a pair of generally rectangular wings extending radially outward of said collar at diametrically opposite points thereof aligned with said holes respectively, said wings serving to facilitate turning the collar on said neck, said Wings having passages extending longitudinally thereof and cornmunicating with said holes respectively, so that said body can be turned to discharge said fluid through one of said openings, one of said holes and one of said passages while air enters said body through the other of said openings, the other of said holes and the other of said passages.

11. A closure for a container having a generally cylindrical hollow body for containing fluid, an externally threaded neck on one end of said body providing communication between the interior of said body and the exterior thereof, said neck having a pair of lateral openings in diametrically opposed positions opening into the neck, comprising in combination: a cylindrical internally threaded cap removably engageable on said neck, an internally threaded collar removably engageable on said neck below the cap, said collar having a pair of holes therein in opposite sides located in diametrically opposed positions for alignment with the openings in the neck respectively when the collar is turned down on said shoulder, said collar having imperforate portions located at said openings to seal the same closed when the collar is turned upon the neck and locked against the cap,

and a pair of generally rectangular wings extending radially outward of said collar at diametrically opposite points thereof aligned with said holes respectively, said Wings serving to facilitate turning the collar on said neck, said wings having passages extending longitudinally thereof and communicating With said holes respectively, so that said body can be turned to discharge said fluid through one of said openings, one of said holes and one of said passages while air enters said body through the other of said openings, the other of said holes and the other of said passages, each of said passages being a groove with an open top and having -a bottom inclined to the holes in the collar so that excess fluid runs down said one passage and through said one hole and one opening into said body when said body is turned axially upright after being turned to discharge fluid.

12. A closure for a container having a generally cylindrical hollow body for containing fluid, an externally threaded neck on one end of said body providing communication between the interior of said body and the exterior thereof, said neck having a pair of lateral openings in diametrically opposed positions opening into the neck, comprising in combination: a cylindrical internally threaded cap removably engageable on said neck, an internally threaded collar removably engageable on said neck below the cap, said collar having a pair of holes therein in opposite sides located in diametrically opposed positions for alignment with the openings in the neck respectively when the collar is turned down on said shoulder, said collar having imperforate portions located at said openings to seal the same closed when the collar is turned up on the neck and locked against the cap, and a pair of generally rectangular wings extending radially outward of said oollar at diametrically opposite points thereof aligned with said holes respectively, said wings serving to facilitate turning the collar on said neck, said wings having passages extending longitudinally thereof and communicating with said holes respectively, so that said body can be turned to discharge said fluid through one of said passages while air enters said body through the other of said openings, the other of said holes and the other of said passages, said passages being bores extending through the Wings, said bores being axially inclined downward and terminating at the holes in the collar so that excess fluid runs down said one passage and thrlough said one hole and one opening into said body when said body is turned axially upright after being turned to discharge fluid.

LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES R. CARTER, Examiner. 

1. A CONTAINER COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL HOLLOW BODY FOR CONTAINING FLUID, A NECK ON ONE END OF SAID BODY PROVIDING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE INTERIOR OF SAID BODY AND THE EXTERIOR THEREOF, SAID NECK BEING EXTERNALLY THREADED AND HAVING A PAIR OF LATERAL OPENINGS IN DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED POSITIONS OPENING INTO THE NECK, AND A CLOSURE ON SAID NECK, SAID CLOSURE COMPRISING A CYLINDRICAL INTERNALLY THREADED CAP REMOVABLY ENGAGED ON SAID NECK, AN INTERNALLY THREADED COLLAR INTEGRAL WITH SAID CAP ENGAGED ON THE NECK, SAID CLOSURE HAVING A WEAKENED PORTION BETWEEN THE CP AND COLLAR TO FACILITATE SEPARATION OF THE CAP AND COLLAR WHEN THE COLLAR IS TWISTED AROUND THE NECK WHILE THE CAP REMAINS STATIONARY, SAID COLLAR HAVING A PAIR OF HOLES THEREIN IN OPPOSITE SIDES LOCATED IN DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED POSITIONS FOR ALIGN- 